Background:Background:

The Theater The Theater

and the Playersand the Players

Before there were Before there were theaters…theaters…

Acting was originally a transient Acting was originally a transient endeavor. In other words, it was endeavor. In other words, it was like the circus in that the like the circus in that the performers traveled from town to performers traveled from town to town to put on showstown to put on shows

They often set up in “innyards” They often set up in “innyards” (the courtyards of inns) (the courtyards of inns)

The Theaters The Theaters

The first successful theater was The first successful theater was built by James Burbage in 1576built by James Burbage in 1576

It was called….It was called…. Get ready to be astounded….Get ready to be astounded…. THE THEATRE!THE THEATRE!

Other theaters:Other theaters:

The CurtainThe Curtain The SwanThe Swan The RoseThe Rose The Red LionThe Red Lion The GlobeThe Globe

We’re Closed!We’re Closed!

The theaters closed from 1592-94The theaters closed from 1592-94 The Black PlagueThe Black Plague Makes sense—Makes sense— Would you want to sit in a Would you want to sit in a

relatively small space with relatively small space with thousands of possibly contagious thousands of possibly contagious people?people?

Heading to the playHeading to the play

How do you envision people “going How do you envision people “going to the theater” today?to the theater” today?

It’s time to don your doublet!

Tighten your trussing!

Get on your galligaskins!

Females, fit on your farthingales!

Smooth your stomachers!

Remember your ruffs!

Slip on your shoes!

And grab your gloves!

Ladies?

Gentlemen?

Is everybody ready?

We’re going to the theater!

The Globe!

Shakespeare’s theater is located just outside of London, England.

A white flag is flying. There’s a play today!

It’s afternoon, time for the play to start.

The young men are dressing up to take the female roles.

The stage is a lower class profession, and no women will appear there.

The wealthy are in the upper decks.

The poor people are in the “pit.” They are known as “the groundlings.”

THE GLOBETHE GLOBE

The Globe theater was built in The Globe theater was built in the Southwark district of the Southwark district of London in 1599.London in 1599.

The location was considered The location was considered the “sporting district”- a place the “sporting district”- a place for cock-fighting, bear-baiting for cock-fighting, bear-baiting and other bawdy attractions.and other bawdy attractions.

View of the GlobeView of the Globe

The Globe Theater was The Globe Theater was open airopen air (no roof) & three levels high.(no roof) & three levels high.

StatsStats

The Globe could fit The Globe could fit between 2,000 to between 2,000 to 3,000 spectators.3,000 spectators.

The plays were about The plays were about three hours long.three hours long.

SceneryScenery

The actors had costumes The actors had costumes and props, but no and props, but no background scenery.background scenery.

A change in the scene was A change in the scene was indicated through speeches indicated through speeches or narrations Shakespeare or narrations Shakespeare wrote into the play.wrote into the play.

Special effectsSpecial effects

Pig bloodPig blood Trapdoors in ceiling and floor Trapdoors in ceiling and floor

(heaven and hell)(heaven and hell) Some housed in the little building Some housed in the little building

on top called the “HUTS”on top called the “HUTS” Cannon ballsCannon balls Deus ex machinaDeus ex machina

Fate of the GlobeFate of the Globe

The original Globe stood until The original Globe stood until June 29June 29thth 1613. 1613.

Unfortunately, it caught on fire Unfortunately, it caught on fire and burned to the ground and burned to the ground when a cannon was fired when a cannon was fired during a performance of Henry during a performance of Henry VIII.VIII.

Politics, Religion, and the Politics, Religion, and the TheaterTheater

The Globe was rebuilt in The Globe was rebuilt in 1614, but in 1642 a more 1614, but in 1642 a more religious regime came religious regime came into power and closed all into power and closed all theaters in England.theaters in England.

Rebuilt (again)Rebuilt (again)

InteriorInterior

Distance viewDistance view

William Shakespeare

Have you heard these Have you heard these phrases?phrases?

I couldn’t sleep a wink.I couldn’t sleep a wink. He was dead as a doornail.He was dead as a doornail. She’s a tower of strength.She’s a tower of strength. They hoodwinked us.They hoodwinked us. I’m green-eyed with jealousy.I’m green-eyed with jealousy. We’d better lie low for awhile.We’d better lie low for awhile. Keep a civil tongue in your head.Keep a civil tongue in your head.

They are just some of the many expressions coined by that master of language, William Shakespeare.

Sources UsedSources Used

Fashion pictures from Fashion pictures from High Fashion High Fashion in Shakespeare’s Timein Shakespeare’s Time by Andrew by Andrew Brownfoot, Five Castles Press Ltd., Brownfoot, Five Castles Press Ltd., 19921992

Shakespeare’s Book of Insults, Shakespeare’s Book of Insults, Insights, & Infinite JestsInsights, & Infinite Jests, by John W. , by John W. Seder, Templegate Publishers, 1984Seder, Templegate Publishers, 1984

The Story of EnglishThe Story of English by Robert by Robert McCrum, et. al., Penguin Books, 1987McCrum, et. al., Penguin Books, 1987